Friday, December 23, 2011

While Mike and Maria were in town, they wanted to go on a hike. We wanted to go somewhere that the kids could hike without too much help and someplace close. Doughnut Falls up Big Cottonwood Canyon is the perfect spot. It was gorgeous up there. Quiet, serene...well, until our kids got up there! They had a blast. Playing in the water, looking for caterpillars, and looking at flowers. It is always nice to be able to take a short 30 minute ride and be in the mountains.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

We took our friends out to the Harding Hideout again this year. The kids love being able to bring their friends. We had a good time. There were frogs, lots of them - so much, in fact, that we had to tell the kids they couldn't touch them anymore. I hope they were playing dead, and not really dead. Ooops. They always have fun on the slide, swing, and in the water. Its really important for me that my kids have great friends. I think so many of the choices you make as a teenager are determined a lot by your friends. I am so happy of the friends my kids have chosen and who they love to spend their time with. We had a good day together, and everyone left a bit early, which gave us time to sit and talk to my grandma and grandpa. Definitely a good day!

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Troy works at IM Flash Technologies. Every summer, they have a huge catered BBQ and carnival as well as an open house to learn about what he does at his job. The party is for friends and family of the employees. I think this year we requested 30-40 tickets. We have lots of family and friends! It was really fun. We all ate and then Troy took us through his work. They were making ice cream with liquid nitrogen. They also froze a red rose with it and allowed Jake to smash it and we watched it shatter into a million pieces. It was awesome! The kids - especially Kinlee, were super excited to try a clean suit on. Whenever Troy has to go into the fab - he has to wear the following gear. I am so grateful for Troy's job and his company. It has been a huge blessing for us to decide to make the switch from Intel. Troy says that the company as a whole is not as good as Intel, but that there is much more room for growth, promotions, and raises in this company. It's now been 5 years, and we are very grateful. Until next year, friends and family...and if you didn't get an invite, and want one - let us know!

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Mike and his family came to visit this summer. The kids were so excited to play with Lucas, and meet their new cousin, Matias. We spent a day at Papa & Grammy's playing in the hot tub, on the slip and slide, and Maria and I spent an hour filling up water balloons that lasted no more than 5 minutes. The kids had fun just playing. It was so fun. In these photos - you can see Michael, being what we like to call - Uncle Howard. Ask anyone - way worse than Uncle Buck! We also went to Wheeler Farm to see the animals. It was so hot we had to get popsicles. We even managed smores and fireworks and the highlight - glow sticks. Pretty sure Lucas ate more sugar this 2 days than he has his whole life! Before they left - we tried to get a photo of all the grandkids for my mom. As you can see - nobody wantd to cooperate! We had so much fun while they were here. We wish they could move here!